Police: Man who took woman hostage killed after standoff

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Police say a man who allegedly took a woman hostage was shot and killed after a standoff that lasted nearly seven hours in New Jersey.

Newark public safety officials said officers responding shortly before 10 p.m. Friday found a man holding a firearm on a woman he knew.

The police emergency services unit and SWAT team responded to negotiate, but officials said the suspect “used the woman as a shield as he held her hostage for nearly seven hours.”

Public safety director Anthony Ambrose said officers “used less lethal options” before finally using deadly force and shooting the suspect. His name wasn’t immediately released. The victim, who has an 11-year-old child, was unharmed.

Officials said the Essex County prosecutor’s office will be investigating per the state attorney general’s protocol.